Alleged NPA member slain in Quezon clash

LUCENA CITY — An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla was killed in an encounter with government troops in Tagkawayan town in Quezon province Monday, April 12.

Major Marcelito Platino, Tagkawayan police chief, said in a report that the slain suspect, Junard Enclona, engaged the police and soldiers in a gunfight in Barangay Bagong Silang around 1 a.m.

The report said the police and the military were about to serve a warrant of arrest for a murder case to Carlito Apigo.

The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court – Branch 38 in neighboring Daet town in Camarines Norte province.

However, Apigo and Enclona reportedly opened fire at the government forces that prompted the police and the soldiers to retaliate.

Enclona suffered bullet wounds and died instantly while Apigo managed to escape, report said.

Platino explained that the police from Camarines Norte were looking for the suspect and sought the assistance of the local police station.

“The suspects were NPA members engaged in extortion,” Platino said in a phone interview.

LZB